WIN Statement following Charlie Hebdo Massacre

We are deeply saddened and literally tearful, on news of the killings in France (at Charlie Hebdo) – under the banner of Islam. We feel the pain and confusion. We also sense there must be hatred (and underneath that perhaps fear) giving rise to the murderous actions that we believe cannot be justified by any religion.

As we reflect on this, the question arises: How to respond without perpetuating hatred? How to respond without perpetuating fear? We need to stay with these questions. We need to give space to feelings if we experience them, while recognising that responding from hatred or fear will not heal hatred or fear.

We have in our hearts those who have lost their lives and those wounded, their relatives, friends, loved ones, and all those affected across the world.